Celebrate July 4 in Broomfield with picnic in the park

Annual festivities at County Commons aim to have something for everyone

By Terri Chance

For the Enterprise

Posted:
06/27/2013 01:00:00 AM MDT

PICNIC FINALE: The Claybaugh family — Dave, Jenny with their daughters Emily and Kylie — watch the fireworks display at the conclusion of last year's Great American Picnic at Broomfield County Commons. (David R. Jennings / Broomfield Enterprise)

Great American Picnic

Schedule of July 4 events. All activities at Broomfield County Commons unless otherwise noted:

Nothing says summertime like the Great American Picnic, Broomfield's July 4 celebration.

Along with baseball, well softball, and hot dogs, the Independence Day party at Broomfield County Commons is a tradition that has "Hometown U.S.A." written all over it.

The party begins at noon, when City Council takes on local seniors in a friendly — but competitive — game of softball at Northmoor Park, and ends with the fireworks display set to start around 9:15 p.m.

Bob Morgenstern, a 40-plus-year resident has been playing senior softball for 26 years. He can't recall how long the seniors have been playing council on July 4, but "it's been a long time."

He said the seniors generally always win, "even though (council) brings a bunch of studs with them," he said, referring to the ringers council recruits to play.

Does anyone get hurt during the game? No, Morgenstern said, except, "City Council has pulled muscles here and there." That's because the seniors are in much better shape, he said.

Even with the trash talk, Morgenstern said the game is as much fun to watch as it is to play, and Paul Derda acts as announcer for the game.

"He's a riot," Morgenstern said.

Activities get into full swing at 5 p.m. at Broomfield County Commons with a petting zoo, pony rides, inflatable "jumpy" houses and live music. The evening also features two live bands.

Face will perform its unique brand of music — an all a capella mix of original music and well-known hits. The six-man group sounds like a rock-solid band, but uses no instruments. It has taken its a cappella sound across the country, performed the National Anthem before a Denver Broncos game, and even appeared on television on the singing competition show "The Sing Off."

Later, "Soul X" will perform a collection of fan-favorite, top 40 songs. The 10-piece band includes male and female vocals, brass, guitars, keyboards and percussion. Listeners will recognize songs from artists such as Santana, Journey, Justin Timberlake, Norah Jones, The Temptations, Bel Biv DeVoe, Flo Rida and Marvin Gaye.

Dana Cabot, Broomfield recreation program manager, said the two bands were chosen because of their ability to get the crowd moving.

"I try to get bands that families can enjoy and sing along with," she said.

The music stage is near the main shelter, along with food vendors. Everyone is welcome to bring picnic meals, but food also will be for sale. Options include the standard festival fare of hot dogs, pizzas made to order, ice cream, homemade root beer and kettle corn.

BIKES ON PARADE: Molly Merrigan decked out here bike in red, white and blue for last year's bicycle parade at the annual Great American Picnic. (David R. Jennings / Broomfield Enterprise)

Gas grills are allowed for those who wish to cook dinner on the spot. Charcoal grills are not permitted, because they could be dangerous if one happened to tip and hot coals were spilled, Cabot said.

"We think of this as the residents' Great American Picnic, but we want everyone to be safe," she aid.

The 7-year-old tradition would not be complete without the bicycle parade. Everyone is encouraged to participate, from tykes on tricycles or in red wagons to siblings on their scooters and parents and grandparents on their mountain bikes. Parade participants decorate their modes of transportation in an assortment of patriotic embellishments.

The bike parade begins at the red shelter on the east end of the park and proceeds around Championship Field. Helmets are required for kids.

"We want to see our community be active," Cabot said, "and when it's done, everyone in the parade gets to leave with a day pass for The Broomfield Bay (aquatic park)."

In addition to the planned activities, residents can bring volleyball nets, play catch, toss a Frisbee or set up just about any other game on the large field. Canopies, umbrellas, lawn chairs, coolers and blankets are a good idea, and for those of age, beer and wine is allowed, as long as it is not in glass containers.

So far, firework displays will go on as planned in Broomfield and surrounding suburbs. Last year, Thornton, Northglenn and Westminster cancelled their displays, drawing a a large crowd to Broomfield's show, which made for a real traffic headache at the end of the night.

"We had twice as many people than normal," Cabot said.

The norm is usually around 14,000 to 15,000 people. Cabot said she even received a call last year from a resident of Steamboat Springs. "The mountain fireworks had been cancelled, too," she said.

There are no plans to cancel the fireworks display, and only weather, such as high winds or a heavy downpour, will prevent the sky from lighting up.

Picnic goers can park in the Commons' parking lots or at Legacy High School, 2701 W. 136th Ave. Shuttle service will be provided from the school to the park and will continue back and forth until everyone has been delivered to their cars at the end of the night. The only time the shuttles won't run is during the fireworks.

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